BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford women's basketball team led for over 37 minutes of the game on its way to a commanding 73-57 win over UNC Greensboro Thursday evening in the Pete Hanna Center.
"I thought we showed up from the tip," Samford head coach Carley Kuhns said. "I thought we had another really good first quarter, which we were searching to be the aggressor again this game. Another game where we had multiple people in double figures, two right behind that with nine points. That's what we need from this team, we need multiple people to be able to step up and make shots. I think we're doing a much better job of sharing the ball, moving the ball, finding open teammates and making open shots."
With the win, Samford improves to 11-13 overall and 6-4 in Southern Conference play. UNCG falls to 6-16 overall and 2-7 in league play.
Samford was led in the win by Andrea Cournoyer with 16 points and five assists. Annie Ramil posted her second-straight double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Natalie Armstrong had 11 points, while Shauntai Battle and Sussy Ngulefac added nine points apiece. As a team, Samford dished out 20 assists on 25 made shots.
For UNCG, Excellanxt Greer led the way with 12 points. Cece Crudup added 10 points for the Spartans.
After UNCG took an early 4-2 lead, Samford went on a 14-0 run to take a 16-4 lead with 1:44 left in the first quarter following a three-pointer by Cournoyer. Samford led, 16-6 at the end of the first quarter.
Samford scored the first eight points of the second quarter to stretch its lead to 24-6 with 6:15 to go in the quarter following a layup by Ramil. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 22 points at 32-10 with 2:38 left in the second quarter after a pair of free throws by Audra Leipold. Samford held a 34-14 lead heading to the locker room at halftime.
The Bulldogs stretched their lead back out to 22 points at 42-20 with 8:20 to go in the third period after a three-pointer by Battle. UNCG fought back to cut the lead to 13 points at 51-38 with 1:07 left in the third quarter after a layup by Crudup. Samford led, 53-38 at the end of the third quarter.
Samford pushed its lead out to 23 points at 63-40 with 7:37 left in the game after a three-pointer by Cournoyer. Samford led by as many as 24 points in the fourth quarter at 66-42, but UNCG scored the next six points to cut the lead to 18 at 66-48 with 3:20 remaining after a three-pointer by Pernilla Sorensen. The Spartans closed to within 16 points at 71-55 late, and the game ended in a 73-57 Samford win.
Samford will play host to Western Carolina Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Pete Hanna Center. Admission to all Samford women's basketball home games is free.
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